Key Takeaways:
- Climate activist Bruce Mahalski attempted to pay a court fine using a hand-drawn $50 note
- Mahalski was convicted and discharged for trespassing at the Dunedin Airport while wearing a shirt saying ‘It’s a Climate Emergency’ and holding a protest sign
- The activist objected to paying the offender levy, saying it implied he committed an antisocial crime when his motives were selfless
- Mahalski’s hand-drawn note featured Cabinet minister Shane Jones instead of Ernest Rutherford, a vulture instead of a kōkako, and the Beehive instead of a marae
- The note will be auctioned off on TradeMe, with half the proceeds going to victims of violent crime and the other half to the climate movement
Introduction to the Story
Climate activist and artist Bruce Mahalski has made headlines for his unorthodox attempt to pay a court fine using a hand-drawn $50 note. The note, which features Cabinet minister Shane Jones instead of Ernest Rutherford, a vulture instead of a kōkako, and the Beehive instead of a marae, was presented to court staff as payment for an offender levy. Mahalski was convicted and discharged in December for trespassing at the Dunedin Airport while wearing a shirt saying ‘It’s a Climate Emergency’ and holding a protest sign. The activist objected to paying the fee, saying it implied he committed an antisocial crime when his motives were selfless.
The Incident at Dunedin Airport
The incident that led to Mahalski’s conviction began when he arrived at Dunedin Airport wearing the ‘It’s a Climate Emergency’ shirt and holding a protest sign. He had previously visited Christchurch Airport with no issues, but things took a turn when he was standing alone at Dunedin Airport. Despite checking with the information desk to ensure he was allowed to be there, security staff asked him to leave, and he was eventually trespassed when he asked to take photos. Mahalski pointed out the irony of being trespassed from an airport owned by the government and Dunedin City Council, both of which had declared a climate emergency.
The Hand-Drawn Note
Mahalski’s hand-drawn note was created over the weekend, and he presented it to court staff as payment for the offender levy. When they questioned what he wanted them to do with it, Mahalski suggested they could auction it off and donate the proceeds to victims of violent crimes. However, they refused, and another climate activist stepped in to buy the note, covering the fee. Mahalski’s note is now set to be auctioned off on TradeMe, with half the proceeds going to victims of violent crime and the other half to the climate movement. He hopes to raise around $1000 from the auction.
Mahalski’s Motivations
Mahalski’s actions are motivated by his frustration with the government’s lack of action on climate change. He pointed out that the government had declared a climate emergency in 2018, but had since failed to take meaningful action. He also called out Cabinet minister Shane Jones, questioning how he had gone from opposing mining in 2010 to backing it. Mahalski’s protest is part of a larger collaborative art project, where he visits different locations wearing the ‘It’s a Climate Emergency’ shirt and holding a tiny sign to photograph. He believes that his actions are necessary to draw attention to the urgent need for climate action.
The Auction and Future Plans
The hand-drawn note will be auctioned off on TradeMe, with the proceeds going to support victims of violent crime and the climate movement. Mahalski does not plan to return to Dunedin Airport, but expects other activists will continue to protest there. He has previously returned an unorthodox offender fee, having once taken a $50 note into court in a bag of coal. Mahalski’s actions are inspired by American artist J.S.G. Boggs, who was charged with counterfeiting after hand-drawing bank notes and using them. The auction of the hand-drawn note is set to raise awareness and funds for the climate movement, and Mahalski hopes it will inspire others to take action.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bruce Mahalski’s attempt to pay a court fine using a hand-drawn $50 note has brought attention to the urgent need for climate action. His protest at Dunedin Airport, where he was wearing a ‘It’s a Climate Emergency’ shirt and holding a protest sign, highlights the contradictions between the government’s words and actions on climate change. The auction of the hand-drawn note will raise funds for victims of violent crime and the climate movement, and Mahalski’s actions will continue to inspire others to take a stand on this critical issue. As the climate crisis deepens, it is essential that individuals like Mahalski continue to push for action and accountability from those in power.
